Carrier strip system and method for different diameter fasteners

ABSTRACT

A carrier strip system includes a plurality of discrete carrier strips respectively receptive of fasteners of substantially different dimensions the strips having internal features configured to engage the fasteners, the strips further having substantially identical external dimensions said external dimensions being substantially symmetrical with respect to a virtual surface defined by inclusion of axes of the plurality of discrete fasteners, and the external dimensions being engagable with a single setting tool magazine such that fasteners with different dimensions have consistent alignment within a single setting tool magazine and method.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/766,380 filed Jun. 21, 2007, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. Ser. No.11/230,890, filed Sep. 20, 2005, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Fastener setting tools have become common tools in the constructionindustry. Their ability to drive a fastener fully with just the pull ofa trigger is significantly more efficient than methods of hammering orscrewing fasteners in. Traditionally, setting tools required theirfasteners be loaded one at a time into the proper position in thesetting tool before they could be driven into the work piece. Morerecently, setting tools have included a magazine that spring loadsseveral fasteners, for auto loading, which significantly increases thespeed at which large numbers of fasteners can be driven. Such magazinesare augmented with respect to function by the advent of fastener holdersin the form of carrier strips.

A wide variety of fasteners are now available for use with settingtools. This variety is required to meet the particular demands of thework pieces being joined together. One common variation in fasteners istheir diameter. Different diameter fasteners are employed in distinctmagazines or distinct setting tools. Distinct magazines at best arerequired in order to ensure proper feed of the fasteners. Sucharrangements require a user employing fasteners of different diametersto have multiple magazines or multiple setting tools, and further mayrequire additional time when magazines are replaced to accommodatedifferent diameter fasteners. This leads to inefficiency and istherefore undesirable.

SUMMARY

A carrier strip system includes a plurality of discrete carrier stripsrespectively receptive of fasteners of substantially differentdimensions the strips having internal features configured to engage thefasteners, the strips further having substantially identical externaldimensions said external dimensions being substantially symmetrical withrespect to a virtual surface defined by inclusion of axes of theplurality of discrete fasteners, and the external dimensions beingengagable with a single setting tool magazine such that fasteners withdifferent dimensions have consistent alignment within a single settingtool magazine.

A method of presenting substantially differently dimensioned fastenersto a single setting tool through a single setting tool magazine includessizing internal dimensions of a plurality of discrete carrier strips toengage substantially different dimensions of discrete fasteners; loadingthe discrete fasteners into the plurality of discrete carrier strips;and maintaining external dimensions of the plurality of discrete carrierstrips such that the plurality of discrete carrier strips are engagablein a single setting tool magazine by at least the external dimensions toconsistently align the discrete fasteners relative to a single settingtool magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike inthe several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a large diameter carrier stripassembly of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the carrier strip assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a small diameter carrier stripassembly of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the carrier strip assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a varied diameter carrier stripassembly of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of the carrier strip assembly ofFIG. 5 taken at arrows 6-6; and

FIG. 7 is a side cross sectional view of an alternate carrier strip withshort fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In connection with the above-identified drawbacks of the prior art, thepresently disclosed concept allows for fasteners of different diametersto be run in the same magazine of a setting tool. In order for such anapplication to be possible, an outside diameter of a fastener carrierstrip must remain the same for different fastener diameters and yetsecurely hold the fastener in place. Moreover, since setting toolmagazines employ a diametric surface of the fastener as an additionalguiding surface, where narrower diameter fasteners are to be utilized inthe same setting tool magazine accommodation must be made for theguiding function of the outside diameter of the larger diameterfasteners when using the smaller diameter fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 1, a large diameter carrier strip assembly 1 isillustrated comprising: large diameter fastener(s) 2, a large diameterhead-end break-free strip 4 made of several head-end segments 5, and alarge diameter point-end break-free strip 6 made of several point-endsegments 7. The carrier strip assembly 1 is illustrated in a conditionin which it may be loaded into a fastener setting tool such as acombustion driven fastening system.

Referring to FIG. 2, each head-end segment 5 has a hole 12 therethroughand each point-end segment 7 has a hole 14 therethrough. The segment 5to segment 5 spacing in the head-end break-free strip 4 is equal to thesegment 7 to segment 7 spacing of the point-end break-free strip 6,causing the hole 12 to hole 12 spacing to be the same as the hole 14 tohole 14 spacing. Holes 12 and 14 are sized to create an interference fitwith the outside diameter 3 of the large diameter fastener 2. Theinterference fit maintains the relative position of the large diameterhead-end break-free strip 4, the large diameter point-end break-freestrip 6 and the large diameter fastener(s) 2 to each other.

As alluded to above there are several registers for the strip in amagazine (not shown), these are both diametrical and axial. Theseregisters contact surfaces on the components that make up the largediameter carrier strip assembly 1 to assure the large diameter carrierstrip assembly 1 will be properly guided and indexed within the magazineand setting tool (not shown). Diameters 8 and 9 are registered in themagazine to assure proper alignment of the fastener 2 prior to dischargefrom the fastener setting tool. Diameter 8 is immediately beyond radialsurface 16 of head-end segment 5 in the direction of the point-end ofthe fastener 2, and diameter 9, is immediately beyond radial surface 20of point-end segment 7 in the direction of the point-end of the fastener2. Radial surfaces 18 and 20 are also registered in the magazine toproperly locate the fastener 2 in an axial direction prior to itsdischarge from the fastener setting tool. Radial surface 18 is formed onthe head-end of segment 7 and radial surface 20 is formed on thepoint-end of segment 7. Since surface 18 and surface 20 are formed onthe same component, segment 7, the distance between them can beaccurately controlled.

As is easily observable in FIG. 2 the segments 5 and 7 are symmetricalabout a virtual surface defined by inclusion of axes of the fasteners 2and the segments 5 and 7 that make up the strip 1. Such symmetry allowsthe fastener setting tool to contact the segments 5, 7 from either orboth sides of the virtual surface and thereby accurately align thefasteners 2 relative to the fastener setting tool. The symmetry of thestrip 1 also allows the strip 1 to be installed into the magazine of thefastener setting tool in one of two orientations, resulting in easierand faster loading of strips 1 into the magazine since orienting thestrip 1 into one of two orientations relative to the magazine is notnecessary.

Referring to FIG. 3, a small diameter carrier strip assembly 10 isillustrated comprising: small diameter fastener(s) 22, a small diameterhead-end break-free strip 24 made of several head-end segments 25, and asmall diameter point-end break-free strip 26 made of several point-endsegments 27. The carrier strip assembly 10 is illustrated in a conditionin which it may be loaded into a fastener setting tool such as acombustion driven fastening setting tool, for example.

Referring to FIG. 4, each head-end segment 25 has a hole 42 therethroughand each point-end segment 27 has a hole 44 therethrough. The segment 25to segment 25 spacing in the head-end break-free strip 24 is equal tothe segment 27 to segment 27 spacing of the point-end break-free strip26, causing the hole 42 to hole 42 spacing to be the same as the hole 44to hole 44 spacing which also matches the hole 12 to hole 12 spacing ofthe large diameter head-end break-free strip 4. Holes 42 and 44 aresized to create an interference fit with the outside diameter 23 of thesmall diameter fastener 22. The interference fit maintains the relativeposition of the small diameter head-end break-free strip 24, the smalldiameter point-end break-free strip 26 and the small diameterfastener(s) 22 to each other.

As described earlier, there are several registers for guiding the largediameter carrier strip assembly 1 within the magazine of the fastenersetting tool. The surfaces on the components of the small diametercarrier strip assembly 10 that interface with the registers in themagazine must therefore match those from the large diameter carrierstrip assembly 1 in order for the small diameter carrier strip assembly10 to feed properly into the magazine of the fastener setting tool.

Segments 27, therefore, which make up the small diameter point-endcarrier strip 26, have surfaces to match those of the segments 7 of thelarge diameter point-end carrier strip 6. Specifically, the radialsurfaces 48 and the radial surfaces 50 will register within the magazinejust as the radial surfaces 18 and radial surfaces 20 did for the largediameter head-end segments 5. Further, the axial distance separatingradial surfaces 48 from radial surfaces 50 of segments 27 match theaxial distance separating radial surfaces 18 from radial surfaces 20 ofsegments 7. Thereby, allowing either the large diameter fastener carrierstrip 1 or the small diameter fastener carrier strip 10 to axiallyregister within a single magazine.

Similarly, the diametrically registering surfaces match as well.Specifically, diameters 28 of segments 25 positioned immediately beyondradial surfaces 46 match the diameters 8 of the large diameter fastenersshank. The fact that diameters 28 are formed as part of the segments 25whereas diameters 8 are formed as part of the fasteners 2 do not effectthe registration within the magazine as long as the diameters aresubstantially equal.

The other diametrically registering surfaces from the large diametercarrier strip 1 are diameters 9 of the large diameter fasteners shank.Therefore, diameters 29 of segments 27 match that of diameters 9 oflarge diameter fasteners 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, a varied diameter carrier strip assembly 100 isillustrated. The strip assembly 100 includes, a plurality of varieddiameter fasteners 110, a varied diameter head-end break-free strip 114made of several head-end segments 118, and a varied diameter point-endbreak-free strip 122 made of several point-end segments 126. The carrierstrip assembly 100 is illustrated in a condition in which it may beloaded into a fastener setting tool such as a combustion drivenfastening setting tool, for example.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross sectional view of the varied diametercarrier strip assembly 100 is illustrated. One of the one of the varieddiameter fasteners 110 is shown as having a first diameter portion 130and a second diameter portion 134 with the first diameter portion 130being a larger diameter than the second diameter portion 134. A firstvaried diameter portion 138 transitions the first diameter portion 130to the second diameter portion 134. The first varied diameter portion138 of this embodiment has a frustoconical shape, however, othertransitional shapes could be employed between the first diameter portion130 and the second diameter portion 134. Similarly, a second varieddiameter portion 142 transitions the second diameter portion 134 to apoint 146 of the fastener 110 with a frustoconical shape. The point 146of this embodiment has a flat surface truncating the second varieddiameter portion 142, however, other embodiments could have other pointgeometries such as a small spherical radius at the apex, for example.

Each head-end segment 118 has a hole 150 therethrough and each point-endsegment 126 has a hole 154 therethrough. The segment 118 to segment 118spacing in the head-end break-free strip 114 is equal to the segment 126to segment 126 spacing of the point-end break-free strip 122, causingthe hole 150 to hole 150 spacing to be the same as the hole 154 to hole154 spacing which also matches the hole 12 to hole 12 spacing of thelarge diameter head-end break-free strip 4. Holes 150 and 154 are sizedto create an interference fit with the first diameter portion 130 andthe second diameter portion 134 respectively. Friction generated by theinterference fit maintains the relative position of the varied diameterhead-end break-free strip 114, the varied diameter point-end break-freestrip 122 and the varied diameter fastener(s) 110 to each other. Thefact that a portion 158 of the first varied diameter portion 138 ispositioned axially within the hole 150 is acceptable since a portion 162of the first diameter portion 130 is also positioned axially within thehole 150. As such, the interference fit of the portion 162 of the firstdiameter portion 130 with the hole 150 provides the friction required tomaintain the relative position of the varied diameter head-endbreak-free strip 114 to the fasteners 110. Similarly, the fact that aportion 162 of the second varied diameter portion 142 is positionedaxially within the hole 154 is acceptable since a portion 166 of the ofthe second diameter portion 134 is also positioned axially within thehole 154. As such, the interference fit of the portion 170 of the seconddiameter portion 134 with the hole 154 provides the friction required tomaintain the relative position of the varied diameter point-endbreak-free strip 122 to the fasteners 110.

The varied diameter carrier strip assembly 100 has several registers forguiding the strip assembly 100 within the magazine of the fastenersetting tool. These registers of the strip assembly 100 interface withthe registers in the magazine and also match registers from the largediameter carrier strip assembly 1 in order for the strip assembly 100 tofeed properly into the magazine of the fastener setting tool.Specifically, segments 126 have surfaces that match those of thesegments 7 of the large diameter point-end carrier strip 6. For example,radial surfaces 174 and 178 register within the magazine just as theradial surfaces 18 and 20 for the large diameter head-end segments 5 do.Further, the axial distance separating the radial surfaces 174 fromradial surfaces 178 of segments 126 match the axial distance separatingradial surfaces 18 from radial surfaces 20 of segments 7, therebyallowing either the large diameter fastener carrier strip 1 or thevaried diameter fastener carrier strip 100 to axially register within asingle magazine.

Similarly, the diametrically registering surfaces match as well.Specifically, diameters 134 immediately below (in the Figures) radialsurfaces 186 of the segments 118 match the diameters 8 additionallydiameters 182 immediately below the radial surfaces 178 match thediameters 9. In this embodiment the diameters 134 are a portion of thefastener 110, while in alternate embodiments the diameter 134 could beon a portion of the segments 118, for example. By having registeringdiameters, for example, such as the diameters 134 immediately below theradial surface 186 and diameters 182 immediately below radial surface178 that are consistent between various embodiments of the stripassemblies 1, 10 and 100 the fit to the same fastener setting toolmagazine and subsequently to the fastener setting tool will be assured.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cross sectional view of a varied diameter carrierstrip assembly 200 is illustrated. The strip assembly 200 is similar tothe strip assembly 100 in that the head-end segments 118 and thepoint-end segments 126 that are uses in strip assembly 100 are also usedin strip assembly 200. By using the same segments 118, 126 the stripassembly 200 is sure to fit and function within the same setting toolsand magazines that the strip assembly 100 does. The difference betweenthe strip assembly 200 and the strip assembly 100 is that the stripassembly 200 uses varied diameter fasteners 210 that are shorter thanthe varied diameter fasteners 110 that are used in the strip assembly100. In fact, the fasteners 210 are so short, they do not extend beyonda radial surface 214 that is the furthest portion of the strip assembly200 in a direction of a point 218 of the fastener 210. The onlylimitation on the length of the fastener 210 is that the second diameterportion 134 has a portion 222 that extends within the diameter 154 longenough to provide a frictional engagement between the fastener 210 andthe point-end strip 126 to positionally locate them relative to oneanother. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention, disclosed inFIG. 7, permits usage of fasteners in a magazine and a setting toolreceptive of the magazine that are dimensionally smaller (in at leastone direction) than the guide strips 118, 126 through which they aremounted and fixtured.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method of aligning substantially differently dimensioned fastenersto a single setting tool through a single setting tool magazine,comprising: sizing internal dimensions of a plurality of discretecarrier strips to engage substantially different dimensions of discretefasteners; loading said discrete fasteners into said plurality ofdiscrete carrier strips; maintaining external dimensions of saidplurality of discrete carrier strips such that said plurality ofdiscrete carrier strips are engagable in a single setting tool magazineby at least the external dimensions to consistently align respectiveaxes of said discrete fasteners relative to a single setting toolmagazine; and maintaining the external dimensions of said plurality ofdiscrete carrier strips laterally symmetrical about axes of theplurality of discrete fasteners relative to a longitudinal axis of thecarrier strip that extends through the plurality of discrete fasteners.2. The method of claim 1, further said discrete carrier strips areloadable into a single setting tool magazine in one of two orientations.